Washington, DC — Senator Samuel D. Brownback (R-KS) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) will be honored at The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa's Annual Visionaries Awards Luncheon for their leadership on Africa-related initiatives in the U.S. Congress. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 7, from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Members Room of the Jefferson Building, Library of Congress.
Leading Africa champion, Congressman Donald M. Payne, (D-NJ) Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and South African Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms. Lulama Xingwana, a member of President Thabo Mbeki's cabinet, will be among those joining in the tribute to Senator Brownback and Congresswoman Lee. C. Payne Lucas, prominent Africanist, Senior Advisor to allafrica.com and Africare founder, will be the keynote speaker.
Senator Sam Brownback's voice has been one of the strongest in the Senate in the fight to end the genocide that has been raging in Darfur. He recently joined Senator Richard Durbin in calling on state governors to divest their state's pension funds from companies who conduct business with the Sudanese government. Brownback was one of the authors of the Senate resolution declaring the atrocities in Darfur genocide, fought for support from NATO troops to African Union peacekeeping troops in Darfur, and sponsored the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which passed in October 2006. Senator Brownback, who serves on the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees, and is Chair of the Constitution subcommittee. He also chairs the Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, is regarded by his colleagues as having "expertise and genuine concern in a wide range of issue areas."
Congresswoman Barbara Lee has gained worldwide acclaim as a leader and a fighter for the eradication of HIV/AIDS in Africa. She has sponsored over 50 pieces of legislation this year alone that have been for the betterment of Africa, including leading a bipartisan effort to create a $15 billion fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Her voice has also been added to that of Senator Brownback's in the bipartisan effort in Congress to end the ongoing conflict and genocide in Africa. She is renowned for her tireless work and belief in the promotion of peace worldwide, which was recognized in 2005 with a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in conjunction with the international project, 1000 Women for Peace. Lee is a member of the House International Relations Committee. She serves on the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere. She also serves on the Housing and Domestic and International Monetary Policy Subcommittees and on the House Financial Services Committee. Lee is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Whip for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and a Senior Democratic Whip.
According to Africa Society President and CEO, Bernadette Paolo, "Acknowledging Members of Congress who work diligently to effectuate positive change for the continent of Africa and whose work has impacted U.S.—Africa relations is imperative. Africa has benefited from Members on both sides of the aisle whose sole purpose for sponsoring and fighting for key legislation benefiting the continent is their commitment to bettering the lives of Africans. Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Sam Brownback are two Members who have contributed significantly."
Last year's honorees for the Visionaries Award were Senator Richard G. Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
The Africa Society is exclusively committed to educating all Americans about Africa.
To join The Africa Society for this Award Luncheon, please call (202)232-3862 or email Junie@africasummit.org.
